Time for a new family vehicle

[Doppel]

Make no mistake, the used Mazda5 can be had for way, way cheaper than a minivan.

Why not get another used minivan with a half-decent tow rating and pull a trailer when you need to? Trucks are all awful on gas, every single one of them.

 

[Vette73]

How about a Chevrolet Equinox/GMC Terrain. They come in 4cyl and V6. Just make sure its a 2010 or newwer. The 2010 seems to go for the low 20k range around here.

If you need bigger there is the chevy traverse. You can get a 2009 with low miles, still under warranty, for around 20k or less.

The Traverse can tow more so that may cover your need for a truck and family hauler. The Equinox/Terrain can also tow but may need to get the V6 to be safe if towing more than 1000 pounds all the time.

But Kia and Hyundia also make good small SUVs so don't be afraid to look at them.

 

[Zivic]

How about a Chevrolet Equinox/GMC Terrain. They come in 4cyl and V6. Just make sure its a 2010 or newwer. The 2010 seems to go for the low 20k range around here.

If you need bigger there is the chevy traverse. You can get a 2009 with low miles, still under warranty, for around 20k or less.

The Traverse can tow more so that may cover your need for a truck and family hauler. The Equinox/Terrain can also tow but may need to get the V6 to be safe if towing more than 1000 pounds all the time.

But Kia and Hyundia also make good small SUVs so don't be afraid to look at them.

find it interesting people recommend GM vehicles... i am sorry, it will be a cold day in he11 before I would buy or recommend one.... there are plenty of comparable and better vehicles available than the terrain/traverse listed above

 

[Vette73]

find it interesting people recommend GM vehicles... i am sorry, it will be a cold day in he11 before I would buy or recommend one.... there are plenty of comparable and better vehicles available than the terrain/traverse listed above

Such as?

Instead of just saying XYZ brand is bad, put up something for the OP if not stop thread crapping.

 

[Bignate603]

find it interesting people recommend GM vehicles... i am sorry, it will be a cold day in he11 before I would buy or recommend one.... there are plenty of comparable and better vehicles available than the terrain/traverse listed above

Apparently you haven't been following car reviews in the last few years. I hate to break it to you but GM has some decent cars now.

 

[Zivic]

Such as?

Instead of just saying XYZ brand is bad, put up something for the OP if not stop thread crapping.

just a few I would look at before a GM car.... off the top of my head
outback
rav4
xterra
pathfinder
explorer
highlander
pilot
ridgeline

 

[Zivic]

Apparently you haven't been following car reviews in the last few years. I hate to break it to you but GM has some decent cars now.

I'll agree, decent (decent doesn't equal good or great)... but still not something I would personally own after the huge BS bailouts and such. plenty of other options out there

 

[Doppel]

I looked at 15 traverses locally and for 2009 they range from $22.5k-35k, but the cheap ones are only FWD.

 

[Vette73]

I'll agree, decent (decent doesn't equal good or great)... but still not something I would personally own after the huge BS bailouts and such. plenty of other options out there

So in other words you know nothing about cars and are just throwing around the tired BS of "Gov Motors" type crap.

Just wanted to see so others can see to ignore your stupidity.

 

[Throckmorton]

You don't need a full size. Buy a crew cab Colorado/Canyon

 

[Zivic]

So in other words you know nothing about cars and are just throwing around the tired BS of "Gov Motors" type crap.

Just wanted to see so others can see to ignore your stupidity.

do I need to give you my background in cars to make a legit argument. I will hesitantly say I have a bit more experience and knowledge with cars than you do.... obviously I don't know your background anymore than you know mine so please don't make ASSumptions

 

[Zivic]

You don't need a full size. Buy a crew cab Colorado/Canyon

and get about the same milage, costs roughly the same with less functionality of a full size... not a wise suggestion IMHO

 

[Zenmervolt]

The other option for the truck is to do what a buddy of mine did. He bought a 1990 2wd F150 for $900. The thing's a beater, but the engine and transmission are solid and it costs next to nothing to insure at the legal minimum. It also has the added benefit that he doesn't worry about denting it when loading or hauling things. If you have the space, a beater pickup is damn handy to have around.

As far as your main question though, the Hyundais should actually be quite nice. The company has come a long way since the 1980s and I've heard a lot of really good things about them in the past 10 years or so. I don't think you'll go wrong with either of the Hyundais you were looking at.

ZV

 

[Vette73]

do I need to give you my background in cars to make a legit argument. I will hesitantly say I have a bit more experience and knowledge with cars than you do.... obviously I don't know your background anymore than you know mine so please don't make ASSumptions

I have done everything in the auto field and even ran my own shop at one point.

This thread was someone asking about a car, not about some dumbass comments on bailouts.
AGAIN take your BS "Gov Motors" to P&N with the other trolls.

 

[CADsortaGUY]

The other option for the truck is to do what a buddy of mine did. He bought a 1990 2wd F150 for $900. The thing's a beater, but the engine and transmission are solid and it costs next to nothing to insure at the legal minimum. It also has the added benefit that he doesn't worry about denting it when loading or hauling things. If you have the space, a beater pickup is damn handy to have around.

As far as your main question though, the Hyundais should actually be quite nice. The company has come a long way since the 1980s and I've heard a lot of really good things about them in the past 10 years or so. I don't think you'll go wrong with either of the Hyundais you were looking at.

ZV

this if you really need a truck for projects - OR just use your old van for it once you get a new vehicle. Keep it around as a beeter, take the seats out to haul material. My 98 T&C is now my project run beeter even though I picked up a 4door Ram 1500 last fall. Having 3 vehicles sucks though with only a 1 lane driveway and a 2 car garage full of renovation materials/tools/etc.

 

[Bignate603]

this if you really need a truck for projects - OR just use your old van for it once you get a new vehicle. Keep it around as a beeter, take the seats out to haul material. My 98 T&C is now my project run beeter even though I picked up a 4door Ram 1500 last fall. Having 3 vehicles sucks though with only a 1 lane driveway and a 2 car garage full of renovation materials/tools/etc.

Using the van as a vehicle to drag stuff around is a good option. You can drag around a huge amount of stuff in a minivan without seats.

 

[Zivic]

I have done everything in the auto field and even ran my own shop at one point.

This thread was someone asking about a car, not about some dumbass comments on bailouts.
AGAIN take your BS "Gov Motors" to P&N with the other trolls.

the BS Gov't Motors is like the cherry on top for reasons not to buy one... you like them, you buy one, but please don't call me a "dumbass". I usually find the the people doing the name calling are the ones the names should be directed at.

Just got to ask, how's that shop of yours doing? If you owned a shop you know as well as me, GM cars probably were your bread and butter..... but hey, I'm just a dumbass

 

[cKGunslinger]

Thanks for the information. Kids are 14 and 9, so nothing too young. The teen will probably buy the Mazda 3 from us in 3-4 years (maybe.) I'm also thinking about giving the Dodge to my brother.

So yeah, I'm leaning towards the small SUV route..

Hyundai Tuscon
Toyota RAV 4
Chevy Equinox
Mazda 5
Mazda CX-7


Maybe we'll go test some, or at least look at some in the next few weeks.

 

[MotF Bane]

Gunslinger, I'd suggest you take the kids along before you finish off a deal, stick them in the backseat, and see if there's a problem with legroom or seat comfort.

Given those five, I'd say go with the CX-7, Tucson, or RAV4. The Equinox at the NE car show really wasn't impressive at all, and that Mazda 5 looks more like a misshapen minivan than a small SUV.

Perhaps a Subaru, and Nissan is certainly worth a look.

 

[SandEagle]

within the 25k range you can get a fully loaded Accord or a base Odyssey. I am getting ready to get the Odyssey. the new Sienna is nice too but seems pricier

 

[Vette73]

the BS Gov't Motors is like the cherry on top for reasons not to buy one... you like them, you buy one, but please don't call me a "dumbass". I usually find the the people doing the name calling are the ones the names should be directed at.

Just got to ask, how's that shop of yours doing? If you owned a shop you know as well as me, GM cars probably were your bread and butter..... but hey, I'm just a dumbass

My shop ran fine and I worked on ALL makes and models. I knew the good and bad for ALL. There was no perfect company. But I am also not a fanboy or p&n nut like you.

Again you gave a BS reason and got called out on it. Go thread crap else where.

 

[Vette73]

Thanks for the information. Kids are 14 and 9, so nothing too young. The teen will probably buy the Mazda 3 from us in 3-4 years (maybe.) I'm also thinking about giving the Dodge to my brother.

So yeah, I'm leaning towards the small SUV route..

Hyundai Tuscon
Toyota RAV 4
Chevy Equinox
Mazda 5
Mazda CX-7


Maybe we'll go test some, or at least look at some in the next few weeks.

Yea test drive them and also see what the true tow rating it since you said you may use it for work.

Hyundai has a 1000pound tow rating. May be low for what you want.
Chevy does 1500pound towing for the 4cyl and 3500 for the V6. That should fit what you want well.
Had a Rav4 before and was not a fan. The newwer V6 is supposed to be quick. Tow rating is 1500pounds 4cyl and 2000 for the V6. So should be able to handle what you want to haul.
Mazda5 is a mini-minivan and the CX7 is also one that seems it would be weak for towing/payload. Check the specs on them if you still plan to use that way.

I would also still look at Kia. They, like Hyundai, have come a long way.
The kia sportage is new and has a 2000pound tow rating for their 4cyl.

 

[Zivic]

My shop ran fine and I worked on ALL makes and models. I knew the good and bad for ALL. There was no perfect company. But I am also not a fanboy or p&n nut like you.

Again you gave a BS reason and got called out on it. Go thread crap else where.

oh the big bad marlin called me out? please....

GM doesn't make a good vehicle

just a few things I can think of why I don't personally think they are a quality vehicle
fisher-price interiors
building 30 of the same vehicle and giving them a different name
intake manifold gasket issues
premature wheel bearing failures
heck, our previous chevy truck went through 2 motors and a trans in less than 100k miles

^^ besides that, the bailout gives me just one more legitimate reason not to buy one

 

[NAC]

I have a beater truck – a ’96 Ranger with extended cab which I got for $1700. It’s got a 4 cylinder and manual transmission, and gets over 20 mpg. My girls are young and fit in back fine. Obviously it cost extra to insure an extra vehicle, and a bit extra in maintenance. Getting a beater truck would allow you to get a smaller family car, which is probably cheaper and better mileage, so it might end up costing about the same.

I really like having a beater truck as a second car – convenient, and it’s cheap so I don’t care about scratches, etc during normal use. And friends like to borrow it, since it is an extra vehicle that is no problem.

I thought about getting a trailer instead of the truck – but we were a 1 car family, so the truck was an added convenience of a second vehicle.

 

[exar333]

oh the big bad marlin called me out? please....

GM doesn't make a good vehicle
just a few things I can think of why I don't personally think they are a quality vehicle
fisher-price interiors
building 30 of the same vehicle and giving them a different name
intake manifold gasket issues
premature wheel bearing failures
heck, our previous chevy truck went through 2 motors and a trans in less than 100k miles

^^ besides that, the bailout gives me just one more legitimate reason not to buy one

This statement alone means you do not know jack about cars or any other sort of automobile. Please GTFO, thanks.